One-in-five think there are 'a lot' of false rape claims

A recent poll conducted for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre reveals that one-in-five adults in Ireland believe there are a lot of false rape allegations, according to the research. Additionally, only 22% think victims of sexual violence are treated fairly by the Irish justice system, and less than half, 43%, feel that victims can openly discuss their experiences.

Among the surveyed women, that number drops to 38%. Notably, 15% of the adults surveyed think that a person raped under the influence of alcohol or drugs is at least partially responsible for their own assault. Meanwhile, 88% of those polled agree that a perpetrator under the influence of an intoxicant should be held equally responsible as one who is not.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre emphasizes the need for ongoing prevention and education initiatives to combat victim-blaming, stating that the findings highlight the importance of addressing these attitudes. The organization plans to launch a new pilot program next year focusing on young men and the concept of positive masculinity.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, the centre's CEO, Rachel Morrogh, explained that the failure to regulate online spaces has allowed harmful narratives to be amplified and spread among young men. Morrogh stressed that many young men feel excluded from conversations about sexual violence and called for their active participation in the dialogue.

She pointed out that previous generations have evolved their views on social issues over time and urged for a more inclusive approach, rather than simply criticizing young men. Morrogh emphasized that attitudes are not fixed and can change, urging everyone to understand the underlying factors driving these beliefs and ensure young men are an integral part of the solution, rather than feeling isolated from the conversation.